S8E13: The Hidden Curriculum in Medical Training

Medical school teaches anatomy, physiology, and clinical reasoning—but some of the most powerful lessons never appear in a syllabus. The hidden curriculum refers to the unspoken rules, behaviors, and cultural expectations that trainees absorb simply by existing within the system. Laurel, Hạ, and Lilly unpack how the hidden curriculum shapes professional identity in medicine. From navigating hierarchy and managing emotions to learning what is considered "good enough," these informal lessons can sometimes support growth—and sometimes quietly reinforce harmful expectations. The trio reflects on the gap between what medical education teaches and what trainees actually experience.